Carpet cleaning machine



May 9, 1939. J. K. TINGLE CARPET CLEANING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1955 wan/011 JOHN mrmems,

y 9 1. K. TlNGLE 2,157,250 CARPET CLEANING MACHINE Filed April 29, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 SUCTION 0 Jam-4w JOHN KJ'INGLE,

May 9, 1939. J K, GLE 2,157,250

CARPET CLEANING MACHINE Filed April 29, 1955 "r Sheets-Sheet 3 C1: 1122 21: I I." i.

J'OHN K. TINGLE,

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May 9, 1939. J. K TINGLE CARPET CLEANING MACHINE Filed April 29, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jame/warp .TOHN K. TINGLE,

gill/IA? y May 9, 1939- J. K, TINGLE 2,157,250

CARPET CLEANING MACHINE Filed April 29, 1955 v Sheets-Sheet s JMW J'OHN K.TINGLE',

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CARPET CLEANING MACHINE Filed April 29, 1955 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 5&9.

I SUCTION ESE/0N I I69 COMPEESS/ON COMP/@555 Jvwowtvu 5 JOHN KTINGLE,

CHI/M Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARPET CLEANING MACHINE John K. Tingle,

Application April 29,

2 Claims.

carpet cleaning machine wherein the carpet and the machine move relatively to one another, the carpet being subjected to the cleaning action of 10 cleaning members intermittently pressed against it, while supplied with a cleaning solution.

Another object is to provide a carpet cleaning machine through which the carpet is moved while being subjected to the cleaning action of a resilient cleaning member alternately pressed against and withdrawn from the surface of the carpet while a cleaning solution is supplied thereto.

Another object is to provide a carpet cleaning 20 machine wherein the carpet moves through the machine while being subjected at one point to the pressing action of a cleaning member while a cleaning solution is supplied thereto, this cleaning solution being partially squeezed out of the 25 carpet at a subsequent point and the carpet therebeyond subjected to the action of another cleaning member pressing against the carpet, while rinsing water is supplied thereto.

Another object is to provide a carpet cleaning machine, as previously described, wherein the cleaning members are operated alternately from the same driving mechanism.

Another object is to provide a carpet cleaning machine, as above described, wherein the ma- 35 chine is portable and arranged to be moved over the carpet while' cleaning the latter.

Another object is to provide a carpet cleaning machine wherein the cleaning members sliding across the surface of the carpet are eliminated and cleaning members having a pressing action supplied so that the machine is adapted to clean delicate carpets and the so-called hooked rugs without damage to such rugs, as has occurred in previous types of machines.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the carpet cleaning machine of my invention with an upper frame cross member removed in order to disclose more 50 clearly the parts beneath it.

Figure 2 is a. longitudinal section through the machine shown in Figure 1, taken along the line 2-2 thereof, certain portions involving the driving mechanism in the upper part of the figure being removed in order to simplify the showing.

Connersville, Ind.

1935, Serial No. 18,720

Figure 3 is a section along the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section along the line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view of a portion of a modified form of machine, showing the cleaning members arranged side by side on the same shaft.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of machine arranged for portable use.

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the portable machine shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a modified form of carpet cleaning machine.

Figure 9 is a section along the line Ill-4B of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a section along the line lI--ll of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of cleaning member according to my invention.

Figure 12 is an elevational sectional view taken on the line i2-|2 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of the second modified form of cleaning member.

Figure 14 is an elevational sectional view taken on the line l4-|4 of Figure 13.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 and 2 show the machine of my invention mounted upon a base I supported by legs 2, and having the side members 3 and 4 attached thereto. The base I serves to support the shafts 5 and B, carrying the rollers l and 8 mounted at opposite ends of the machine. Over these rollers passes the endless conveyor belt 9, the whole being so arranged as to bring the top surface of the conveyor belt into line with the top surface of the base.

For this purpose the base I is cut away in its central portion so that it possesses end portions l0 and II, together with an intermediate portion 12, these being separated by apertures. The conveyor belt 9 moves in the first aperture with its upper surface fiush with the adjacent surfaces of the base portions ill and II, whereas an additional roller [3, mounted on the shaft l4, extends into the aperture between the base portions In and H so that its upper surface is adapted to engage the lower surface of the carpet passing thereover. The shaft I4, supporting the roller 13, is also mounted upon the frame I and driven in a manner subsequently to be described. The roller I3 is partly immersed in a tank l5 arranged to contain a sizing solution, which is transferred to the carpet by the roller l3, hereafter called the sizing roller. "The carpet itself is indicated by the numeral l6.

Rotatably mounted in spaced relationship between the frame side members 3 and 4 are the rollers l1, l8, l9 and 20, supported respectively upon the shafts 2i, 22, 23 and 24. Each of these rollers I! to 28 is provided with a resilient covering 25, sponge rubber having been found suitable for this purpose. At the opposite ends of these rollers the coverings 25, by reason of their resilience, bulge downward at the points 26 and 21 (Figure 4), thereby engaging the belt 9 on either side of the carpet so as to assist in preventing the escape of the solutions laterally from the carpet. The frame is provided with side plates 28 between which the rollers are disposed with their ends in close engagement therewith for preventing the escape of the liquid (Figure 1).

Arranged between the rollers I 8 and i9 and I9 and 28, respectively, are two cleaning members 29 and 36, having resilient surface coatings 3|.

The coatings 3| are provided with corrugated lower surfaces 33, serving to engage the surface of the carpet when the cleaning members 29 and 38 are pressed downwardly against it. An upwardly extending flange 34 on each cleaning member 29 and 38 serves to engage corresponding grooves in the guide members 35 and 36 supported upon the frame cross member 31, extending between the frame side members 3 and 4 of the machine (Figure 1) The rollers H and 28 are mounted immediately over the rollers 1 and 8, respectively, in such a manner that the carpet is squeezed between the surface coverings 25 of the upper rollers and the upper surface of the conveyor belt 9. The shaft 24, supporting the roller 28, is mounted in a bearing block 38 adapted to move up and down in the guideways 39 against the urge of the springs 48 on one side (Figure 4), and the pressure of the adjusting screws 4| on the other. By tightening or loosening the adjusting screws 4| any desired amount the pressing eifect may be given to the roller 28 so that a suitable squeezing.

action may be performed upon the carpet.

The cleaning members 29 and 38 are pivotally connected, as at 42 and 43 respectively, to connecting rods 44 and 45, the opposite ends of which are bored so as to encircle the cams 46 and 41, mounted upon the shafts 48 and 49, respectively. The shafts 48 and 49 are rotatably supported between the frame side members 3 and 4 by being mounted upon the bracket member 53 depending from the frame cross member 54, extending between the frame side members 3 and 4, respectively. The shafts 48 and 49 carry sprockets 58 and 5|, interconnected by the sprocket chain 52. Consequently, it will be obvious that when one of the cam shafts 48 or 49 is rotated the other one will likewise be rotated and the cams 46 and 41 thereon will cause the cleaning members 29 and 38 to move up and down in the guideways of their guide members 35 and 36.

The motor 55 carries a pulley 56, driving. the belt 59 and the pulley 51 on the counter-shaft 68. The latter is supported in the frame bearing brackets 68 and carries at one end a bevel gear 6! and at the other end a worm 62. The bevel gear 6| meshes with a bevel gear 63, mounted upon the vertical shaft 63a. The latter has on its upper end the bevel gear 63b, meshing with the bevel gear 42a upon the cam shaft 48. The worm 62 meshes with a worm gear 64, mounted upon the roller shaft 6. The latter at each end carries a sprocket 65, serving to drive similar sprockets 66 upon the sizing roller shaft i4, through the sprocket chains 67 interconnecting these sprockets. The cam shaft 48, as previously explained, drives the cam shaft 49 through the flexible driving member 52 interconnecting them (Figure 1).

The spaces between the rollers l1, l8 and i9 are occupied by a cleaning solution, such as a mixture of soap and water, supplied thereto through the pipes 68 (Figure 2). The escape of this cleaning solution is prevented, as previously stated, partly by the side plates 28 and partly by the bulged portions 26 on the end of each roller. The space between the rollers I9 and 20, however, is served by the pipes 69 having the spray portions 18 adapted to supply fresh water to the carpet for removing the cleaning solution therefrom.

Operation In the operation of the carpet cleaning machine .of my invention the carpet I6 is caused to move between the rollers l7 and the belt 9 by the driving mechanism of the machine. When the carpet arrives at the space between the rollers l1 and I8 it is soaked with the cleaning solution of soap and water fed into the space by the pipe 68. The carpet, thus saturated with the cleaning solution, passes underneath the covering 25 on the roller i8, and immediately encounters the pressing action of the cleaning member 29 as it moves up and down against the carpet beneath it.

The corrugations 33 upon the resilient portion 3i engage the carpet and result in an alternate pressing and suction action, which thoroughly forces the cleaning solution into and out of the carpet. This alternate pressing and suction action causes the carpet to be thoroughly cleaned by the liquid forced between the threads thereof,

yet does so without any pulling action upon the threads, as is the case in previous machines where a cleaning member, such as a brush, is caused to move back and forth across the carpet. Consequently, delicate rugs, such as hooked rugs, are not injured by the operation of the cleaning member 29, whereas the brushes of previous machines have frequentlycaused damage to such rugs.

After being subjected to this alternate pressing and suction, in the presence of the cleaning solution, the carpet is conveyed onward by the action of the moving belt 9, and passes beneath the covering 25 of the roller l9 into the space underneath the second cleaning member 38. Rinsing water is sprayed onto the carpet from the pipes 69, and this, combined with the alternate suction and pressing action of the cleaning member 38, causes the cleaning solution to be extracted from the carpet or washed away with the rinsing water which escapes between the ends of the side plates 28 and guideways 39 adjacent thereto (Figs. 1, 2).

After this rinsing operation the carpet passes over the roller 8, between the belt 9 and the surface covering 25 of the roller 20, which squeezes out the remaining water. Beyond this point the carpet passes across the intermediate portion H of the base 1 (Figure 2) and over the upper surface of the sizing roller l3. From this roller the carpet I6 receives a supply of sizing liquid as contained in the tank 15. After this the carpet passes over the end section H of the base I and the cleaning operations are completed.

In the modified form of cleaning machine, shown in Figure 5, the general construction is substantially as that of the machine previously described and shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. Instead of a single pressing member, operated by each cam shaft, the machine shown in Figure 5 is provided with a series of such cleaning members. Since each of the cam shafts carries a similar mechanism a description of one will suffice for all.

The cam shaft (Figure 5) is provided with eccentrics 8| and 82, serving the same purpose as the cams 46 and 41, previously described. Guiding members 83, 84, and 86 serve to slidably support the flanged portions 81 and 88 of the cleaning members 83 and 90, respectively, (Figure 5). The cleaning member 89 is provided with arms 9|, pivotally engaged by the connecting rods 82 encircling the eccentric BI in a manner similar to that previously described. Similarly, the cleaning member 80 is provided with arms 93 pivotally engaging the connecting rods 94, which similarly encircle the eccentric 82.

The cam shaft 80 is driven by a bevel gear 95 meshing with a bevel gear 96 on the jack shaft 01, the lower end of which carries a bevel gear 98 meshing with a bevel gear 99 mounted upon the countershaft 58. Consequently, it will be apparent that when the cam shaft 80 is rotated, through the action of the bevel gearing from the counter-shaft 58, the cleaning members 89 and will be caused to move up and down. By adjusting the positions of the eccentrics 8I and 82 the cleaning member 89 may be caused to move upward when the cleaning member 90 is moving downward so that an alternate motion results.

The modified form of machine shown in Figures 6 and 7 is adapted for portable use. but embodies the same principles and essential devices as those previously described. The machine of Figures 6 and 7 consists essentially of a base I00 having arms IOI, serving to support castors I02 by which the machine is rolled over the floor or bed plate I03, as the case may be, the portion of the carpet I5 disposed between the opposite castors I02 being subjected to the cleaning action of the machine.

The base I00 is provided with a handle I04, attached thereto (Figure 6) and having on its upper end the cross bar I05 which may be grasped by the operator. Mounted upon the base I00 and extending upwardly therefrom are the side members I06 and I01, these serving to support the tank I08 extending between their upper edges. Pipes I09 and H0, terminating in the transverse conduits III and H2, respectively, serve to convey the liquid from the tank I08 and distribute it over the surface of the carpet.

The carpet cleaning machine of Figures 6 and 7 is similarly provided with cleaning members I I3 and I I4, having the resilient pads H5 and H6 mounted on their lower surfaces. The latter are provided with corrugations I I1, in a manner simiar to that already described. Each of the cleaning members I I3 and I I4 is provided with a flanged portion H8 and H8, respectively, these being reciprocably received within the guide portions of the guiding members I20 and I2I, respectively.

Supported between the frame side members I06 and I01 is a shaft I22, which serves to pivotally support a walking beam I23. The latter, on op-. posite sides of the shaft I22, is pivotally connected to the connecting rods I24 and I25, respectively, the latter being pivotally connected to the flanges H8 and H9 of the cleaning members H3 and H4 in a manner similar to that already described.

slidably engaging the guide portions I25 of the walking beam I23 is a connecting rod I21, the opposite end of which is bored to engage the pin I28 having the squared head I29 slidably mounted in the slot I30 of the disc I3I. The outer end of the pin I28 is threaded and carries the nut I32. whereby the pin I28 may be locked in position at any point along'the slot I30, thus adjusting the eccentricity thereof and the length of the stroke of the connecting rod I21. The disc I3I is mounted upon the shaft I33 emerging from one side of the reduction gear box I34, th'e opposite side of which is driven from the shaft I35. The latter is drivingly connected to the shaft of the motor I36, which when started causes the shaft I33 and the disc I3I to rotate.

In the operation of the modified form of machine shown in Figures 6 and 7 the motor is started and the machine moved over the carpet I6, while liquid is supplied thereto from the tank I08 through the pipes I09 and H0. The rotation of the disc I3I causes the connecting rod I21 to reciprocate and move angularly up and down, sliding in and out of the guideways I26 in the walking beam I23. This action causes the walking beam I23 to rock, moving the cleaning members H3 and H4 up and down in alternate succession. The resilient portions H5 and H6 of the cleaning members H3 and II4 engage the surface of the carpet in a manner similar to that previously described, forcing the liquid into the interstices thereof and cleaning the carpet in a thorough manner.

It wili be understood that the bottom surfaces of the resilient cleaning members may be provided with projections, or vacuum cups, instead of the ribs or corrugations previously-described (see Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14) The modified form of machine shown in Figures 8 and 9 contains a sub-structure and roller structure substantially the same as that described in connection with Figures 1 and 2. In the superstructure of this modification, however, the cleaning members each comprises a resilient coating I4I. integrally attached to the C-shaped bracket I42, the upwardly extending arms of which are provided with inwardly directed flanges I44 bent around the cleaning member support plate I40 Figure 9). A series of springs I43 urges the bracket I42 downwardly so that its flanges I44 normally engage the support plate I40 when the coating MI is out of contact with the work. The coatings I4I are provided with corrugations, or other roughened portions I45, similar to those previously described, and have the same purpose. The cleaning members are rhomboidal or diamond shape in outline, this shape being provided so that no portion of the carpet will be free from the action of the pressing members. Thus the leading points of the spaces I45 between the adjacent cleaning members are farther to one side than the trailing points thereof, this overlapping feature preventing a seam of unclean carpet, which might occur if the spaces I46 were made parallel to the longitudinal direction of motion of the carpet.

The cleaning members support plates I40 are provided with vertically disposed flanges I41, which are attached to the yokes I48 by the pivot pin I49 passing therethrough. The upper ends of the yokes I48 are pivotally connected, as at I50, to the connecting links I5I, the opposite ends of which are pivotally connected, as at I52, to the walking beams III. The latter are keyed or otherwise fixedly mounted upon the cross shaft I54 so that when the cross shaft I54 is turned backwardly and forwardly through a limited angle, the walking beams I53 will rock back and forth.

It will be observed that each end of each walk- 'ing beam I53 carries a connecting link III,

member I 40 and resiliently mounted coating I4I therefor. Consequently, when the walking beam I53 is rocked to and fro the resiliently mounted coatings rise and fall and alternately engage different portions of the carpet on opposite sides of the roller I9, located between them. By this action each portion of the carpet is given an intensive cleaning treatment, and no amount of warping of the mechanism can destroy or detract from this treatment because of the resilient mounting and the plurality of overlapping cleaning members used.

The cross shaft I54, carrying the walking beams I53,-is rotatably mounted in bearings in the frame side members 3, 4 and 53, and the outer end on one side thereof is provided with a crank arm I55, keyed or otherwise securely mounted thereon. The outer end of the crank arm I55 has a threaded hole I 56 adapted to receive a threaded rod I51, on the lower end of which is mounted a ball I56. The rod I51 is adjusted by screwing it in or out of the threaded hole I56 and is locked in position by means of the locknut I59.

The ball I56 is received within a correspondingly shaped socket I 60 in the upper end of a connecting rod I6I. The lower end of the connecting rod I6I is pivotally joined, as at I62, to a yoke I63, encircling a cam- I64 securely mounted upon the drive shaft I65. The cam yoke I63 is provided with side plates I66 and I61, located respectively on each side of the cam I64, and tending to engage the faces thereof to prevent relatively longitudinal motion between the cam I64 and its yoke I63. The drive shaft I65 is mounted in bearings. I66, located upon brackets I 69, attached to the frame of the machine (Figure 8). The drive shaft I65 is provided with a pulley I1II, carrying a belt I1I, whose opposite end encircles a pulley I12 mounted upon the drive shaft of the main driving motor I13.

In the operation of the modified machine shown in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive, the rotation of the drive shaft I65 by the motor I13 and the belt I1I causes the cam I64 to rotate eccentrically, causing the yoke I63 to rise and fall, giving 'a corresponding rising and falling motion to the connecting rod I6I and the ball rod I51. This, in turn, causes the crank arm I55 to execute oscillations through a limited angle, resulting in the oscillation of the cross shaft I54 and the rocking of the walking beams I53. This operation finally causes the cleaning members II to rise and fall in alternate succession, the spring I43 being compressed after the coating I4I engages the carpet and until the cleaning member I40. reaches the lowest position in its vertical descent.

The remainder of the machine is operated and the carpet caused to move in a manner similar to that already described. It will be observed that as the carpet moves under the coatings I of the cleaning members different portions of the spaces I46 therebetween will lie at different points over the width of the carpet, and therefore any uncleaned portion in the spaces I46 will be previously or subsequently subjected to the action of some portion of one of the resilient coatings I4I, due to the diagonal direction of the spaces I46.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention. 7

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a carpet-cleaning machine, a movable support for the carpet, means for supplying a cleaning solution to the carpet, a pair of vertically reciprocable cleaning members positioned to engage the carpet, and means for moving said cleaning members alternately into engagement with the carpet, each of said cleaning members including a rigid horizontally disposed backing member carrying on the lower surface thereof a sponge rubber pad having spaced downwardly extending projections engageable with the carpet for pressing the cleaning solution in to the carpet, the lower ends of said downwardly extending projections terminating substantially in a horizontal plane.

2. In a carpet-cleaning machine, a movable support for the carpet, means for supplying a cleaning solution to the carpet, a pair of vertically reciprocable cleaning members positioned to engage the carpet, and means for moving said cleaning members alternately into engagement with the carpet, said cleaning members including a rigid horizontally extending backing member having secured to its lower surface a yielding pad having resilient walled vacuum cups thereon for forcing the cleaning solution into and out of the carpet during the yielding of said vacuum cups.

JOHN K. TINGLE. 

